Then, out of nowhere, Kanye West let the cat out of the bag about Nas' release date and also revealed he would be producing the album in April. Funny thing is, all the while, Nas remained mum. He did, however, ink a distribution deal for his Mass Appeal Records with Universal Music Group ahead of the release, which gives Mass Appeal access to UMG's marketing and promotion teams. Nasir serves as the first release as part of the new partnership. Now, the silence is over.

Nasir continues the G.O.O.D. Music mantra of only having seven tracks, which he debuted during a listening party under the Queensboro Bridge in New York City on Thursday night (June 14). Singer 070 Shake, who recently appeared on both Kanye's Ye album and his joint LP with Kid Cudi, Kids See Ghosts, appears on "Not for Radio." Comedy legend Richard Pryor adds a bit to "Cop Shot the Kid" before Yeezy also makes use of a Slick Rick sample on the track, flipping "A Children's Story" for the song's chorus. Nas also taps The-Dream, Tony Williams and Diddy (as Puff Daddy) for features.

Initially, the album was only available on Tidal, but the final product is now officially available at all digital service providers. It's hard to believe it's been six years since Nas put out his last album. But here we are, in 2018, still being blessed by his new music.